State Representative Lucy Dathan is hosting a Backpack/Back-to-School Supplies drive to support Open Doors Shelter at 55 Chestnut Street in Norwalk on Saturday, 8/17 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The drive is co-hosted by State Senator Bob Duff, State Rep. Dominique Johnson, State Rep. Kadeem Roberts, and State Rep. Travis Simms.

Open Doors and the group are urging area residents to stop by and bring donations to help with this effort. “Our local residents are notorious for their generosity and willingness to help others in need,” Lucy Dathan said. “We are convinced that the school supply drive will be a big success for students going back to school this year.”

Most needed items: backpacks for all ages, loose-leaf papers, one and 5-subject notebooks, erasers, glue sticks, crayons and markers, highlighters, colored and regular pencils and pens, scissors, index cards, pencil cases, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, tissue boxes. Additionally: juice boxes, individual snack bags of items such as cookies, chips, goldfish and crackers, fruit cups and fruit sauces, cheese and crackers packs, nutella, jelly, shelf-stable milks, cake and cookie mixes, cupcake liners and frosting. Also, grocery gift cards of any amount are welcome to help purchase fresh fruit and produce.